these members returned from afghanistan just last year. after this deployment within a few months time they'll be prepared to get it back there again. there is the greatest strain on the military and with the threat of yet more defense cuts, this is a remainder of why it's still needed. >> this is proving what we can still do as opposed to what we might not be able to do is the key message. but we are still in the business of being able to operate in this would to do this kind of thing. >> but for those left shouldering the burden of the nation undiminished gobal ambitions, the question remains how can you do more with land? >> if we are anything else, would be we struggle. but at the moment we're supposed to be in syria, yemen, libya. if we're supposed to be in those places, we're struggling, definitely. >> the task will only get harder. a be it at the heart of this deployment and currently the royal navy's flagship is due to be moth balled as soon as she returns back home. jonathan biel, "bbc news." >> less than 24 hours after uncovering